Raúl Midón On Hobbies And His GRAMMY-Nominated Album “Bad Ass And Blind”

Although he is widely known as a virtuoso guitarist, Raúl Midón got his start as a session singer for the likes of Shakira, Julio Iglesias, and Jose Feliciano. His debut album, 2005’s State Of Mind, notably featured cameos from Stevie Wonder and Jason Mraz. Midón’s latest full-length is last year’s Bad Ass And Blind, which has received a GRAMMY nomination for Grammy Best Vocal Jazz Album.

On behalf of The Hype Magazine, I had the pleasure of doing Q&A with Midón, who can be visited online at www.raulmidon.com.

Bad Ass And Blind was nominated for a GRAMMY Best Vocal Jazz Album. Does getting a GRAMMY nomination for an album give you a lot of validation? Or were you already very pleased with the album?

Raúl Midón: I was very happy with the album. It’s unique, like me. Of course getting the validation of your peers is very meaningful, too!

When in the creative process did you come up with the title Bad Ass And Blind?

Raúl Midón: I came up with the title at the end, and I didn’t have the song on the album yet or written. But when I did, my wife encouraged me to write it — and then a fellow from the label encouraged me to include it!

Is there a followup to Bad Ass And Blind already in the works?

Raúl Midón: Because I built a home studio and have learned how to engineer back in 2008, I’ve got hundreds of tunes recorded. So yes!

A lot of people first found out about you through your appearance in the movie Still Bill. Did you ever collaborate with Bill Withers again after Still Bill came out?

Raúl Midón: No, but he’s a friend and an avid supporter.

Is there a career accomplishment you are still working towards?

Raúl Midón: Always.

When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?

Raúl Midón: Hanging out with my wife and friends, reading and ham radio.

What was the last concert you attended for fun?

Raúl Midón: I just saw two — Christian McBride with Warren Wolf, and Robert Glasper. Both were fantastic.

Finally, Raul, any last words for the kids?

Raúl Midón: Get really good at what you do and live beneath your means.

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Tags: #TheHypeMagazine, Bill Withers, Christian McBride, Guitar, Julio Iglesias, Raúl Midón, Shakira, Stevie Wonder, The Hype Magazine

About the Author

Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."